Tim-ing Is Key on Stage 9

Timing was key in the sprint to the line on Stage 9, and Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step) got it right.

The Belgian beat Jonathan Milan into second place, with Arnaud de Lie third.

Mathieu van der Poel and Jonas Rickaert, both of Alpecin Deceuninck, attacked right at the start of the stage. At its maximum, their gap to the peloton was over 5 minutes.

Rickaert eventually peeled off, leaving MVDP to try to ride to the line. The Dutchman nearly made it, but was caught with around 750m to go.

That left the sprinters to battle it out for the stage win.

Joao Almeida of UAE Emirates dropped out of the race today, suffering from injuries sustained in a crash on Stage 7. Almeida would have been a key mountain domestique for Pogacar.

Video Highlights

These are video highlights of Stage 9.